Restrictions Announced For Kasilof River Early-Run Kings And Gill Net Fishing

The following press releases are courtesy of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game:

Kasilof River Early-Run King Salmon Restricted Beginning May 1

(Soldotna) – To protect returning king salmon and ensure fishing opportunities in the future, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is implementing the following sport fishing regulation restrictions for early-run king salmon in the Kasilof River drainage effective 12:01 a.m. Monday, May 1 through 11:59 p.m. Friday, June 30, 2023. The bag and possession limit for king salmon 20 inches or greater in length is two hatchery-produced fish. Hatchery-produced king salmon are recognizable by a healed adipose fin-clip scar. Naturally-produced king salmon of any size may not be possessed or retained and are distinguishable by an intact adipose fin, a small fleshy fin on the back of the fish just ahead of the tail. Naturally-produced king salmon that are caught may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately. Additionally, only one single hook either baited, unbaited, or on an artificial lure may be used beginning 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, May 16 through 11:59 p.m. Friday, June 30, 2023. Single-hook means a fishhook with only one point.

ADF&G manages the Kasilof River early-run king salmon sport fishery to achieve a sustainable escapement goal of 700–1,400 naturally-produced king salmon as monitored through an ADF&G weir located on Crooked Creek. Crooked Creek king salmon are used to supplement king salmon stocking programs across Southcentral Alaska.

“To achieve an adequate escapement and collection of naturally-produced king salmon brood stock in 2023, as well as increasing the success of anglers targeting Kasilof River hatchery-produced king salmon returning to Crooked Creek, ADF&G has determined restrictions to the early-run king salmon sport fishery in the Kasilof River are needed to achieve these goals,” stated Acting Area Management Biologist Jenny Gates.

For additional information, please contact Acting Area Management Biologist Jenny Gates at (907) 262-9368.

Kasilof River Personal Use Gillnet Fishery Daily Fishing Hours Reduced

(Soldotna) – To protect king salmon bound for the Kasilof River, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is implementing the following personal use fishing regulation restrictions for the Kasilof River set gillnet fishery effective 6:00 a.m. Thursday, June 15 through 11:00 p.m. Saturday, June 24, 2023. The daily fishing hours in the personal use set gillnet fishery at the mouth of the Kasilof River will be reduced to 6-hours per day. The fishery will be open from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily from Thursday, June 15 through Sunday, June 18 and fishery hours will be 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. from Monday, June 19 through Saturday, June 24. The revised fishery opening hours are scheduled to provide fishing opportunity around high tide.

ADF&G manages Kasilof River early-run king salmon to achieve a sustainable escapement goal (SEG) of 700-1,400 naturally-produced king salmon, measured at the Crooked Creek Facility weir. King salmon runs across Cook Inlet are at record low levels and are not showing signs of improvement. Without further reductions in potential harvest, it is likely the escapement goal will not be achieved.

This gillnet fishery is managed in conjunction with the Upper Cook Inlet personal use fisheries on the Kenai, Kasilof, and Susitna Rivers, and Fish Creek and the total salmon household limit applies to a combination from all four fisheries. A 2023 Upper Cook Inlet Personal Use permit and a resident sport fishing license are required and must be in your possession while participating in the fishery. Only Alaska residents may participate in this fishery.

For additional information, please contact Acting Area Management Biologist Jenny Gates at (907) 262-9368.